The government is planning to procure long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) as malaria cases are increasing in Odisha.
Source reports an increase in malaria cases in Odisha due to damaged or ineffective LLINs distributed over four years ago.
Arpit Pattnaik
The government of Odisha faces a significant challenge in implementing its malaria control program in the state. Despite efforts to reduce malaria cases from 4.44 lakh in 2016 to 23,770 in 2022, there has been an alarming increase in malaria cases in 2023. The state government has been urging the central government to provide 1.56 crore long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), a crucial tool in fighting malaria, but no concrete steps have been taken yet.
Malaria cases in Odisha are on the rise, partially due to the fact that LLINs distributed four years ago have become damaged or lost their effectiveness. If new nets are not distributed, the state may not be able to achieve the goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, as set by the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME).
The Health and Family Welfare department has been searching for insecticide-treated nets for over a year. Odisha has reported 18,383 malaria cases, the highest among all states, up to June. The districts with the highest number of cases include Rayagada (3,712), Koraput (3,522), Kandhamal (3,090), Kalahandi (3,018), and Malkangiri (1,890).
According to the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control, malaria cases in the state almost doubled last year compared to 2022, with 41,971 cases and four deaths in 2023, as opposed to 23,770 cases and five deaths in 2022. Despite accounting for only around four percent of India's population, Odisha made up approximately 18.7 percent of the country’s malaria cases last year.
Health experts have noted that Odisha's hot and humid climate provides a conducive environment for malaria transmission. The introduction of the Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN), a multi-component malaria intervention, had previously helped reduce malaria cases, with LLINs playing a significant role. Nets distributed in 2019 were due for replacement by the end of 2022, but this has not yet happened.
Sources have indicated that although the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had initiated bids for procuring LLINs last year, the process was hindered by a single tender. Delays in finalizing tenders this year have resulted in a crisis. If this situation persists, it may take another three to four months to receive the nets from the Centre.
In response to the delay in supply from the Centre, the state government of Odisha has begun procuring insecticidal nets independently. Health Secretary Shalini Pandit has stated that a consignment is expected to arrive next month and will be distributed in high caseload districts.
